Comments By Papa G

I am into my third week at CDL driving school, and scheduled to test out next week. After much deliberation I have decided to start my career with US Express. I will be attending their orientation and training in Dallas starting on May 27th. My research shows that the opportunities are greater for team drivers vs solo drivers. Better pay, better equipment, bigger bonuses, better tuition repayment plan, etc.. As such, I am searching for someone who is considering working for USX and would like to team up. I realize there are a whole host of compatability issues associated with this idea, but if anyone wants to discuss the possibilites please respond. Best of luck to all you new drivers!

Started week three yesterday, and we are finally getting out on the road. We spent all day driving up and down Highway 61, taking turns at the wheel and trying to shift without grinding. Hah! It sounded like we were at a Folgers factory in the coffee grinding division. By the end of the day we were all doing much better, but still have a ways to go. I am feeling pretty good about my skills so far, with the exception of the alley-dock maneuver. Man, I have got to figure that one out or I'm gonna be in deep kimchee! Good luck to all you students out there!

Hi y'all. I am into my second week at CDL School and yesterday sat for my written exams at the Office of Motor Vehicles. I tested for General Knowledge, Combinations, Air Brakes, Doubles/Triples, Tanker, and Hazmat. I passed them all and I have Brett and the High Road Training Series to thank! Sure, my school was beneficial also, but the High Road series was what made me confident enough to test for everything at one time. Thank You Trucking Truth!

Ok, so I am into the first week of training at the Diesel Driving Academy in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. One serious advantage of DDA Baton Rouge is that I can go right down the street and get a big plate of Crawfish Etoufee for lunch! As most of you know, this first week is all classroom study and filling out forms. The first day we filled out so many forms and trucking company applications I thought my hand was going to fall off. We are a small class with only 7 students. Our trainer is an experienced driver who wanted a break from being gone all of the time. He has a nice manner about him and a good sense of humor which makes for a fun classroom experience.

There is so much to learn in just 4 weeks that at times it seems daunting! I will say this, by virtue of having studied the High Road Training Series on this website I am way ahead regarding the written material (although I am still struggling with the split-sleeper berth provision in the HOS). I am excited and anxious to get started learning the practical skills which we will get into next week.

Today we had a visit from a recruiter and driver from Werner. I guess recruiters can't help but sound like used car salesmen, but the information he provided made Werner sound pretty good. They showed up with their Freedom America tractor and there is no doubt, that is one nice piece of equipment! I already have a pre-hire letter from the kind folks at Werner, but am holding off on making any final decisions until I get closer to graduation. I'm trying not to get too excited until I see if I can even drive, back-up, and shift one of these big bad boys. Does anyone have any thoughts on working for Werner?

More to come.

Thanks for your responses and that you didn't say I was crazy undertaking this at 59. This has always been in my heart, and I have to act on it.

I am 58 and into the first week of my CDL training. If you're going crazy, then I want to go with you! Old guys rule!

I just thought you might like to know that I just reported JB Hunt to the Federal Communications Commission for harassment. I talked to a recruiter last December and was told by two different departments, recruiting and applications, that I was fully acceptable as a new driver, despite working for over 8 trucking companies in the last 18 months. I quit my job here at home when I got their email saying Welcome to JB Hunt. Two hours later I received another email from the recruiter telling me the investigation dept. rejected me. I was enraged they would pull this on me, so I reported the recruiter to HR at JB Hunt. But again today I got another call, and this time I went to the FCC. They are taking care of this federal crime of harassment.

Over 8 companies in 18 months, and no one wants to hire you? Weird!?

The split sleeper berth is addressed in the High Roads Training on this site. It should be able to give you a definitive answer to your question. Best of luck to you in your training.

Thanks Diver. I guess the rule of the day is.... The rules will change! I understand now that the 34-hour restart has changed where you don't have to have two periods within the hours of 0100 to 0500.

I spoke with my trainer again today, and it has become apparent that even he does not understand it all. Unless he is correct and the High Road Training is incorrect (which I kinda doubt). In any case I have decided not to sweat it, as it does not affect me earning my CDL-A. That's why we have OJT!

I am struggling to understand the HOS requirements. My question is this:

Is there still a provision which allows you to "pause" the 14-hour clock by spending 8 consecutive hours in the sleeper berth?

At my school I asked the trainer and he quoted me information from the Split-Sleeper Berth option (which did not really answer my question). In addition, we were issued a hand out which states "The 14-hour clock starts when a driver comes on duty and can only be stopped with a minimum two hour break in the sleeper."

Can anyone help me clear up my confusion?

Hi to all y'all. Yesterday I passed my DOT physical and heaved a large sigh of relief. I am a bit older, 58, and have not had a proper physical in about 10 years. The doctor who examined me had a hard time believing that I was not on any meds. But I passed and now I start CDL training at the Diesel Driving Academy in Baton Rouge, Louisiana on Monday. I have been studying the High Road Training Program for the last 1 and1/2 months and feel confident I am ready for the written exams. What a great program! Now it's time to start learning some of the practical skills. I am both excited and nervous, but that sure beats being bored! I will report back after my first week of training. Ciao for now.

Some people were chiming in on Laura T.'s "I hate Nursing" topic about what they did before they became interested in trucking. I put the question in the title for others to tell what they did "before".

I taught middle school math and science for eleven years. Finally I "had it" with both student attitude and administration pressure to get my students to pass the annual testing.

Also, rookie truckers make just about as much as rookie teachers do, without all that college!

So, what did you do in your "previous life"?

Environmental Geologist, but spent the last 8 years exploring North, Central, and South America aboard my sailboat. Now I am starting a new chapter in my life, and I am very excited. I begin my CDL school on Monday! Yeah You Right!